Acute toxicity of βγ-CAT, a naturally existing non-lens βγ-crystallin and trefoil factor complex from frog Bombina maxima skin secretions

MicroRNA expression profile in Lampetra morii upon Vibrio anguillarum infection and miR-4561 characterization targeting lip

As a critical evolutionary pivot between invertebrates and vertebrates, lampreys provide rich genetic information. Lamprey immune protein (LIP) is a key immune regulator. MicroRNAs, well-conserved in the response to immunological stress, remain understudied in lamprey immunity. We generated a lamprey microRNA expression atlas, using deep sequencing, upon Vibrio anguillarum infection. Using comparative methods, we found that miR-4561 potentially regulates innate immunity via interaction with lip. We found a sequence in the 3′-UTR region of LIP mRNA complementary to the miR-4561 seed region; miR-4561 expression was negatively correlated with LIP. During V. anguillarum infection, miR-4561 inhibited LIP expression and bacterial clearance. Notably, LIP expression in supraneural body cells was necessary for the Gram-negative immune response. Additionally, we observed that overexpression of miR-4561 induced apoptosis in embryonic cells, suggesting a role in embryonic development. Collectively, we show lamprey microRNAs may significantly affect gene regulation and provide new insights on LIP-mediated immune regulation.

Ma et al characterise differentially expressed miRNAs in Lamprey upon bacterial infection. They identify miR-4561 as being decreased after infection and show that it targets the 3′UTR of the mRNA encoding lamprey immune protein (LIP) involved in lamprey innate immunity and regulates survival in lamprey embryos.

Animal secretory endolysosome channel discovery

Secretory pore-forming proteins (PFPs) have been identified in organisms from all kingdoms of life. Our studies with the toad species Bombina maxima found an interaction network among aerolysin family PFPs (af-PFPs) and trefoil factors (TFFs). As a toad af-PFP, BmALP1 can be reversibly regulated between active and inactive forms, with its paralog BmALP3 acting as a negative regulator. BmALP1 interacts with BmTFF3 to form a cellular active complex called βγ-CAT. This PFP complex is characterized by acting on endocytic pathways and forming pores on endolysosomes, including stimulating cell macropinocytosis. In addition, cell exocytosis can be induced and/or modulated in the presence of βγ-CAT. Depending on cell contexts and surroundings, these effects can facilitate the toad in material uptake and vesicular transport, while maintaining mucosal barrier function as well as immune defense. Based on experimental evidence, we hereby propose a secretory endolysosome channel (SELC) pathway conducted by a secreted PFP in cell endocytic and exocytic systems, with βγ-CAT being the first example of a SELC protein. With essential roles in cell interactions and environmental adaptations, the proposed SELC protein pathway should be conserved in other living organisms.

Skin mucosome activity as an indicator of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans susceptibility in salamanders

Recently emerged fungal diseases, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) are an increasing threat to amphibians worldwide. In Europe, the threat of Bsal to salamander populations is demonstrated by the rapid decline of fire salamander populations in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Although most European urodelans are susceptible to infection in infection trials, recent evidence suggests marked interspecific differences in the course of infection, with potentially far reaching implications for salamander conservation. As a salamander's skin is the first line of defense against such pathogens, interspecific differences in innate immune function of the skin may explain differential susceptibility. Here we investigate if compounds present on a salamander's skin can kill Bsal spores and if there is variation among species. We used a non-invasive assay to compare killing ability of salamander mucosomes of four different species (captive and wild Salamandra salamandra and captive Ichtyosaura alpestris, Cynops pyrrhogaster and Lissotriton helveticus) by exposing Bsal zoospores to salamander mucosomes and determining spore survival. In all samples, zoospores were killed when exposed to mucosomes. Moreover, we saw a significant variation in this Bsal killing ability of mucosomes between different salamander host species. Our results indicate that mucosomes of salamanders might provide crucial skin protection against Bsal, and could explain why some species are more susceptible than others. This study represents a step towards better understanding host species variation in innate immune function and disease susceptibility in amphibians.

βγ-CAT, a non-lens betagamma-crystallin and trefoil factor complex, induces calcium-dependent platelet apoptosis

In recent years, it has been reported that apoptosis may occur in platelets and play a role in the clearance of effete platelets. βγ-CAT, a newly identified non-lens βγ-crystallin and trefoil factor complex from frog Bombina maxima skin secretions, caused several in vivo toxic effects on mammals. Through determined haematological parameters of rabbits, it has been found that βγ-CAT significantly reduced the number of platelets in a time-dependent manner. Here, in order to explore the effect of βγ-CAT on platelets, washed platelets were incubated with various concentrations of βγ-CAT for 30 minutes. We found that βγ-CAT induced several apoptosis events in human platelets, including caspase-3 activation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, depolarisation of mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), cytochrome c re-lease and strong expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak proteins. However, βγ-CAT did not significantly induce platelet activation as detected by P-selectin surface expression, GPIIb/IIIa activation and platelet aggregation. In addition, we observed that βγ-CAT-induced PS exposure and ΔΨm depolarisation in platelets are Ca2+-dependent. Taken together, βγ-CAT can induce Ca2+-dependent platelet apoptosis but does not cause platelet activation.

Why do we study animal toxins?

Venom (toxins) is an important trait evolved along the evolutionary tree of animals. Our knowledges on venoms, such as their origins and loss, the biological relevance and the coevolutionary patterns with other organisms are greatly helpful in understanding many fundamental biological questions, i.e., the environmental adaptation and survival competition, the evolution shaped development and balance of venoms, and the sophisticated correlations among venom, immunity, body power, intelligence, their genetic basis, inherent association, as well as the cost-benefit and trade-offs of biological economy. Lethal animal envenomation can be found worldwide. However, from foe to friend, toxin studies have led lots of important discoveries and exciting avenues in deciphering and fighting human diseases, including the works awarded the Nobel Prize and lots of key clinic therapeutics. According to our survey, so far, only less than 0.1% of the toxins of the venomous animals in China have been explored. We emphasize on the similarities shared by venom and immune systems, as well as the studies of toxin knowledge-based physiological toxin-like proteins/peptides (TLPs). We propose the natural pairing hypothesis. Evolution links toxins with humans. Our mission is to find out the right natural pairings and interactions of our body elements with toxins, and with endogenous toxin-like molecules. Although, in nature, toxins may endanger human lives, but from a philosophical point of view, knowing them well is an effective way to better understand ourselves. So, this is why we study toxins.

Host-derived, pore-forming toxin-like protein and trefoil factor complex protects the host against microbial infection

Aerolysins are virulence factors belonging to the bacterial β-pore-forming toxin superfamily. Surprisingly, numerous aerolysin-like proteins exist in vertebrates, but their biological functions are unknown. βγ-CAT, a complex of an aerolysin-like protein subunit (two βγ-crystallin domains followed by an aerolysin pore-forming domain) and two trefoil factor subunits, has been identified in frogs (Bombina maxima) skin secretions. Here, we report the rich expression of this protein, in the frog blood and immune-related tissues, and the induction of its presence in peritoneal lavage by bacterial challenge. This phenomena raises the possibility of its involvement in antimicrobial infection. When βγ-CAT was administrated in a peritoneal infection model, it greatly accelerated bacterial clearance and increased the survival rate of both frogs and mice. Meanwhile, accelerated Interleukin-1β release and enhanced local leukocyte recruitments were determined, which may partially explain the robust and effective antimicrobial responses observed. The release of interleukin-1β was potently triggered by βγ-CAT from the frog peritoneal cells and murine macrophages in vitro. βγ-CAT was rapidly endocytosed and translocated to lysosomes, where it formed high molecular mass SDS-stable oligomers (>170 kDa). Lysosomal destabilization and cathepsin B release were detected, which may explain the activation of caspase-1 inflammasome and subsequent interleukin-1β maturation and release. To our knowledge, these results provide the first functional evidence of the ability of a host-derived aerolysin-like protein to counter microbial infection by eliciting rapid and effective host innate immune responses. The findings will also largely help to elucidate the possible involvement and action mechanisms of aerolysin-like proteins and/or trefoil factors widely existing in vertebrates in the host defense against pathogens.

Ca2+-binding motif of βγ-crystallins

βγ-Crystallin-type double clamp (N/D)(N/D)XX(S/T)S motif is an established but sparsely investigated motif for Ca(2+) binding. A βγ-crystallin domain is formed of two Greek key motifs, accommodating two Ca(2+)-binding sites. βγ-Crystallins make a separate class of Ca(2+)-binding proteins (CaBP), apparently a major group of CaBP in bacteria. Paralleling the diversity in βγ-crystallin domains, these motifs also show great diversity, both in structure and in function. Although the expression of some of them has been associated with stress, virulence, and adhesion, the functional implications of Ca(2+) binding to βγ-crystallins in mediating biological processes are yet to be elucidated.

The frog trefoil factor Bm-TFF2 activates human platelets via Gq and G12/13 signaling pathway

Bm-TFF2 is an amphibian trefoil factor purified from the Bombina maxima skin secretion that is highly toxic to mammals. We previously reported that Bm-TFF2 activates human platelets via protease-activated receptor 1. In this study, for a better understanding of platelet activation induced by Bm-TFF2, we used affinity chromatography and pharmacological inhibitors to investigate the downstream signaling pathway. Using Bm-TFF2-affinity chromatography, Gq was specifically eluted from the Bm-TFF2-coulped column. Pharmacological inhibitors such as U73122, Xestospongin C, BAPTA-AM and Gö6976 can significantly inhibit Bm-TFF2-induced platelet aggregation. These results suggested that Gq activation and the downstream PLCβ-IP3 receptor-cytoplasmic Ca(2+)-PKC signaling pathway is crucial for Bm-TFF2 to stimulate platelet aggregation. Furthermore, Bm-TFF2 induced strong platelet shape change at the concentrations of 5nM, in which the Ca(2+) mobilization of the platelets stimulated was not detectable. The p160(ROCK) inhibitorY27632 totally inhibited the shape change, indicating that Bm-TFF2 may activate the G12/13 pathway which leads to the activation of RhoA-p160(ROCK). In conclusion, Bm-TFF2 induced platelet activation mainly via the Gq and G12/13 signaling pathway. This study on the signaling pathway of Bm-TFF2 stimulation may help us understand the toxicity of B. maxima skin secretion to the human platelets.

Characterization of the βγ-crystallin domains of βγ-CAT, a non-lens βγ-crystallin and trefoil factor complex, from the skin of the toad Bombina maxima

βγ-CAT is a naturally existing 72-kDa complex of a non-lens βγ-crystallin (α-subunit, CAT-α) and a trefoil factor (β-subunit, CAT-β) that contains a non-covalently linked form of αβ(2) and was isolated from the skin secretions of the toad Bombina maxima. The N-terminal region of CAT-α (CAT-αN, residues 1-170) contains two βγ-crystallin domains while the C-terminal region (CAT-αC) has sequence homology to the membrane insertion domain of the Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin. To examine the biochemical characteristics of the βγ-crystallin domains of βγ-CAT, CAT-αN, CAT-αC and CAT-β were expressed in Escherichia coli. Co-immunoprecipitation of the naturally assembled βγ-CAT confirmed that the CAT-α and CAT-β complex always exists. Furthermore, recombinant CAT-β bound recombinant CAT-αN. Ca(2+)-binding motifs were identified in CAT-αN, and recombinant CAT-αN was able to bind the calcium probe terbium. However, the conformation of CAT-αN was not significantly altered upon Ca(2+) binding. βγ-CAT possesses strong hemolytic activity toward human erythrocytes, and treatment of erythrocytes with βγ-CAT resulted in a rapid Ca(2+) influx, eventually leading to hemolysis. However, in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), no significant hemolysis was detected, even though the binding and oligomerization of βγ-CAT in the erythrocyte membrane was observed. Our data demonstrate the binding of CAT-β (a trefoil factor) to CAT-αN (βγ-crystallin domains) and provide a basis for the formation of a βγ-crystallin and trefoil factor complex in vivo. Furthermore, the βγ-crystallin domains of βγ-CAT are able to bind Ca(2+), and βγ-CAT-induced hemolysis is Ca(2+) dependent.

Bm-TFF2, a toad trefoil factor, promotes cell migration, survival and wound healing

Toad skin is naked and continually confronted by various injurious factors. Constant skin renewal and repairs occur frequently. However, the mechanisms of the renewal and repair have not clearly elucidated. In our previous work, a trefoil factor (TFF), Bm-TFF2, has been purified from the Bombina maxima skin and characterized as a platelet agonist. The mRNA of TFFs in toad skin was up-regulated greatly during the metamorphosis, indicating a pivotal role of TFFs in amphibian skin. Here, we presented the effects of Bm-TFF2 on the cell migration, apoptosis and proliferation. Bm-TFF2 bound to epithelial cells and showed strong cell motility activity. At the concentrations of 1-100nM, Bm-TFF2-induced migration of human epithelial AGS and HT-29 cells, and rat intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cell lines. The in vitro wound healing assay also verified the activity of Bm-TFF2. Bm-TFF2 could also inhibit cell apoptosis induced by ceramide and sodium butyrate. The cell migration-promoting activity was abolished by MEK1 inhibitors, U0126 and PD98059, suggesting that ERK1/2 activation is crucial for Bm-TFF2 to stimulate cell migration. Taken together, Bm-TFF2 promoted wound healing by stimulating cell migration via MAPK pathway and preventing cell apoptosis. The potent biological activity of Bm-TFF2 makes it a useful molecular tool for further studies of structure-function relationship of the related human TFFs.

[Animal toxins and human disease: from single component to venomics, from biochemical characterization to disease mechanisms, from crude venom utilization to rational drug design]

Many animals produced a diversity of venoms and secretions to adapt the changes of environments through the long history of evolution. The components including a large quantity of specific and highly active peptides and proteins have become good research models for protein structure-function and also served as tools and novel clues for illustration of human disease mechanisms. At the same time, they are rich natural resources for new drug development. Through the valuable venomous animal resources of China, researchers at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, CAS have carried out animal toxin research over 30 years. This paper reviews the main work conducted on snake venoms, amphibian and insect secretions, and the development from single component to venomics, from biochemical characterization to human disease mechanisms, from crude venom to rational drug design along with a short perspective on future studies.

A novel annexin A2 protein with platelet aggregation-inhibiting activity from amphibian Bombina maxima skin

Annexin A2 is a unique member of annexin family with multi-functions in membrane physiology, implicated in inflammation and cancer progression. mRNA of Annexin A2 is abundant in the skin of some amphibians. However, no annexin A2 protein has been isolated and characterized from amphibian skin. In this report, a novel annexin A2 protein with apparent molecular weight of 33 kDa and named Bm-ANXA2, was purified from frog Bombina maxima skin, which is highly toxic to mammals, by a combination of ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. A full-length cDNA encoding the protein was obtained from the cDNA library constructed from the frog skin. Sequence analysis indicates that Bm-ANXA2 shares 89% and 80% amino acid sequence identities with those of Xenopus and human annexin A2, respectively. Different from other annexin A2 proteins, the N-terminal 26 amino acids of Bm-ANXA2 were truncated. Bm-ANXA2 dose-dependently inhibited human platelet aggregation stimulated by various agonists in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. It bound to activated platelets and significantly inhibited alpha(IIb)beta(3) activation and alpha-granular secretion. This is the first report that an annexin A2 protein possesses platelet aggregation-inhibiting activity, providing novel clues in the illustration of pathophysiological roles of annexin A2 proteins.

[Trefoil factor: from laboratory to clinic]

Trefoil factor (TFF) family is a group of peptides with one or several trefoil factor domains in their structure, which are highly conserved in evolution, and are characterized by heat and enzymatic digestion resistance. The mammalian TFFs have three members (TFF1-3), and the gastrointestinal tract and the airway system are major organs of their expression and secretion. At certain physiological conditions, with a tissue-specific distribution, TFF plays an important role in mucosal protection and wound healing. But in the malignant tissues, TFF is widely expressed, correlated strongly with the genesis, metastasis and invasion of tumor cells. These phenomena indicated that TFF may be a possible common mediator of oncogenic responses to different stimuli. The biological functions of TFF involve complex regulatory processes. Single chain TFF may activate cell membrane receptors and induce specific signaling transduction. On the other hand, TFF can form a complex with other proteins to exert its biological effects. In clinical medicine, TFF is primarily applied as drugs in the mucosal protection, in the prevention and the treatment of mucosal damage-related diseases and as pathological biomarkers of tumors. At present the first hand actions and the molecular mechanisms related to TFFs are still the major challenges in TFF research. Furthermore, the discovery of the naturally occurring complex of TFF and crystallins is highly valuable to the understanding of the biological functions and action mechanisms of TFF.